Green is Good: Basil Pesto!

When basil is abundant I add it to a food processor with olive oil and a little salt.  The paste is frozen in ice cube trays until solid and then transferred to ziplock bags.  The cubes will keep in the freezer for months. 

Pasta with Pesto Sauce:

Garlic and pine nuts are heated until golden in olive oil and then a few cubes of basil are added and heated just until defrosted.  Toss with al dente pasta and freshly grated Parmigianno cheese.  Quick and delicious.

Vitiano - A Blended Red

This 2010 Vitiano is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.  For under $10 a bottle, it is light and tasty!

DOC White Wine- Inexpensive!!

This Ruffino 2011 Orvieto Classico DOC wine was only $7.77 at Pascale's Liquors in Liverpool.  It was a dry, delicious blend of 50% Grechetto, 30% Procanico, 10% Verdello and 10% Canaiolo Bianco.  Great for summer and well worth the price!

Quick Shrimp Dinner- Ready in 25 minutes

The Rice:
Onions were browned in olive oil with red pepper flakes and salt, then added  1 part short grain white rice to two parts water and brought it to a boil.  The rice was covered and simmered on low for 20 minutes.  During that time I prepared the shrimp and crab cake appetizer. 

The Shrimp:

Onions and garlic were sweated then white wine, parsley and peeled and deveined Wood's Fisheries Wild American Florida white shrimp (Wegman's Frozen) were added for just 3 minutes.  During the last minute one diced fresh tomato was added.

Ultimate Crab Cakes

These are "Handy" Ultimate Crab Cakes from BJ's.  They are browned on the stove in olive oil and then the pan is wiped clean and then put in a 400 degree oven for 6 minutes. Fantastic!

Cockles for That Special Lunch

A fresh clam sauce with cockles, clam strips, scallions, garlic and parsley.  Once the garlic was golden, a little rose was reduced then the other ingredients were added and all steamed together for 10 minutes.  The Wegman's in Dewitt never disappoints in the seafood section.

Yippee-Ki-Yay

This "Cowboy" veal chop was also found at the Dewitt Wegman's!  It was dried for the day and then grilled.